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Show Which number is more significant? The fact that Atlas Corporation has "lost almost $50,000,000 over the last 4 years or that the Nuclear Regulatoiy Commission (NRQ may have goofed in their engineering calculations regarding their much ballyhooed "launchable rock apron"? Only time will tell It's really too bad that someone just can't And that $50,000,000; it could have gone a long way towards moving the tailings pile. Regarding the NRC calculations, they determined that they were going to use 11.2 inch rocks to protect the pile from lateral migration of the river. Then for some unknown reason they then calculated the volume of rocks necessary to protect the pile using an 8 inch thickness of rocks. This sounds absolutely trivial until you extrapolate those differences to the proper scale of the pile. This results in a shortfall of 1500 cubic yards of rocks, or roughly 150 trucks worth. Because I don't know if my calculations are correct, I sent them to the Utah State Radiation Control Board who will pass the information on to the appropriate engineers. I also sent my calculations to the NRC engineer responsible for this part of the design and I haven't received a response. This is the problem of trying to write something newsworthy two weeks before it will be printed. I feel uncertain. 'What la that thing?' If the tailings pile is capped in place, "What is that thing?" may become the most frequently asked question in this valley for the next several thousand years, as Brat time visitors come down Highway 191 and see the pile for the Brat time. Once capped it will not The Atlas Tailings Pile. The shaded area year when fewer tourists visit here to pay these taxes? Can anyone predict what this winter will be like? The leaves are already changing, the geese started heading south before labor day and there is already snow on the mountain. (Editor's Note: I was within ten feet of Mr. Haney when he made that observation; yet, he never got out of his chair to look. The truth is: He guessed) El Nino? The Sewer expansion is slowly progressing. After a difficult summer they are now getting back on track and doing a fine job. Now that they've done all the hard work, it should go smoothly. September 23 marked the Moab Music Festival's inaugural concert in the new Grand County High School Auditorium. I hope I saw all of you there. POSTSCRIPT: A Little less Uncertain Now it is only one week before we go to print and there has been some feedback concerning the Atlas Tailings pile. The NRC engineer responsible for the design of the "launchable rock apron has received my letters and agrees there may be a problem with the current calculations. He has forwarded my letters to the consultant for further analysis. When is a NRC Final Technical Evaluation Report the Final Report? Isn't the NRC responsible for whaf s in the Final Report, not the consultant? What does it take to amend a Final Report? Could there be more mistakes? The State of Utah will also review my concerns and present their findings at the November 7 meeting of the Radiation Control Board here in Moab. shovs the pile be disguised as it is now with its perpetual covering of native blow sand; it will be one of those 'man-mad- e objects visible from outer space.' Other questions will surely follow. Like: "Why did you let them leave it there?" Some possible answers: "If s too dangerous to move but you can eat the stuff." "It was the federal government's decision, we had no power." "Some folks tried, but I guess not enough." Vital Signs and This and That In health care we watch something called vital signs'. Every so often, at a specific interval, you check things out. It's a novel concept for most of those outside of the health care profession where the motto is, If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" or as we say, "if it ain't dead, don't resuscitate!" Regarding unshielded commercial and yard lighting, I give up. This summer over 25 new lights where installed in the valley. My predictive powers sometimes amaze me. I'm thinking of getting a 900 number for psychic predictions. The Republican (no new taxes!) County Council adopted two new taxes this month the 14 County wide sales tax and the 1 restaurant tax. What happens next as it might appear after being capped with igneous rocks. Lastly, I need to thank the Grand County Council for their support in ensuring that science plays a determining role in the Adas decision. The Council agreed by a 4 - 2 vote to request that the US Army Corps of Engineers review the NRC approved design of the "laundiable rock apron". Bart, Al, Frank and Ray voted for the peer review. Dale and Harvey voted against, Ken was working. SUBSCRIBE TO THE ZEPHYR Details on Page 3.Upper right hand corner AGGIE EVANS For Two Year Term City Council "Lets prevent problems instead of spending time and money trying to fix them. I will listen and cast informed votes on all the issues. Moab is our home... Together we can take care of it." paid political ad |
